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Buyer Wants Belushi, Cusack, Murray In on Cubs Deal

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2009 10:36 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Would-be Cubs buyer Tom Ricketts has approached a bunch of baseball-loving celebrities, including Bill Murray, Jim Belushi, and John Cusack, about going in with him on the team, the Chicago Tribune reports. Ricketts is asking each to pitch in $25 million, say sources—who add that Ricketts doesn’t need the money to close the deal with the Tribune Company.

Banks have already agreed to lend Ricketts $450 million to finance the purchase, and he’s raised another $400 million by selling shares of TD Ameritrade, which his father founded. The major snags in a deal now are the Cubs’ radio and television rights, currently tied up in potentially below-market contracts with the Tribune-owned WGN stations.

Fans stand outside Wrigley Field after the baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals was postponed because of rain, April 19, 2009.
Fans stand outside Wrigley Field after the baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals was postponed because of rain, April 19, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Chicago Cubs' Micah Hoffpauir watches his solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Chicago Cubs' Micah Hoffpauir watches his solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa, left, jokes with actor Bill Murray during batting practice before a 2007 game.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa, left, jokes with actor Bill Murray during batting practice before a 2007 game.   (AP Photo)
Actor Bill Murray checks his swing during Chicago Cubs batting practice before a 2007 game.
Actor Bill Murray checks his swing during Chicago Cubs batting practice before a 2007 game.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
drlarrymitchell
May 21, 2009 2:12 AM CDT
The only celebs interested are those with local Chicago roots, which means that- nostalgia aside- they already know that the Cubs aren't a team worth investing in.
inky
May 19, 2009 8:43 AM CDT
Murray's already fooled around with a couple minor league team-ownership deals; he knows what he's doing.
Timinator2K
May 19, 2009 5:47 AM CDT
Bill Murray ain't holdin' his age too well at all, he looks like 83. They won't buy in 'cuz then they couldn't bitch about the team sucking.

Ricketts lines up financing
Chicago Sun-Times

Sale of Cubs progressing slowly
MLB.com

Deal won't be finished in May
Business of Baseball

 
entertainment • Chicago Cubs • Tribune Company • John Cusack • Bill Murray • TD Ameritrade • John Belushi • WGN • Tom Ricketts

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